8 The Lift of GOD natural and · unforced .propenfion toward that which is good and commendable. It is true, external n1otives· arc n1any times of great ufe to excite and flir up this in– ward principle, efpecially in its it1fancy and weaknefs, when it is often fo languid, that the n1an hin1fdf can fcarce difcern it, hardly being able to n1ov~ one fiep for– ·ward, but when he is pu.fhed by his hopes, or his fears; by the preifure of an affliCti– on, or the fenfe of a n1e'rcy; by the autho– rity of the law, or the pcrfuafion of oth– ers. Now, if fuch a perfon be confcienti– ous and ·uniforn1 in his obedience, and earnefl:lygroaningunder the fenfeof hisdul.– nefs, and is defirous to perform his duties with n1ore fpirit and vigour ; tb efe are the firft motions of the divine life, which, thoi1gh it be faint and weak, will furdy be cherifhed by the influences of heaven, and grow unto great<;r maturity. But he who is utterly defl:itute of thi s inward prin– ciple, and clothnot afpire unto it, but con– ten~s 11imfelf with thofe performances whereunto he is prompted by education or cuftom, by the fear of hell, or carnal notions o f heaven, C?-11 no more be accoun- -:- ted a reli gious perfon, than a puppet can be called a 111an. This forced and artifi.. · dal religion is comn1only heavy and languid;
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=